Christkindl Market comes to Canandaigua this weekend

CANANDAIGUA — How does a German market bring people in Canandaigua together? The standard method: Art, music, food and drinks.

"The whole festival atmosphere and excellent food and wine, beer," is what draws people out, said Christkindl Market Director Cheryl Zulick.

This weekend, Nov. 8 to 10, will mark the seventh anniversary of the Christkindl Market at the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum on North Main Street. The market has grown since its origins to accommodate more than 130 artisans of all-handmade crafts, plus many more food vendors.

The market is based on the German Christkindl markets in which food and craft vendors come together; here it's just slightly "Americanized." The Americanization comes mostly from the food offered at some of the tents, though traditional German food can be found as well.

Today, the festival has grown in its recognition and been able to add vendors — especially ones of higher quality. This recognition has even allowed the market in Canandaigua to be nationally ranked and labeled one of the top 10 in the state, which causes vendors to swarm to fill the tents, Zulick said.

"Vendors tell us all the time that we run a higher-quality market," said Zulick.

Added this year will be free bus rides from the market into downtown Canandaigua. Zulick said that the idea was to expand the market so it could become a community event. She even expressed an interest in having the downtown merchants take up the mantle of this pursuit so that "everyone benefits from us having the market."

Downtown, food trucks at several locations will serve a variety of food, from stingray sushi to Tuscan wood-fired pizza. The idea is to get local people to come check out the shops and renovations downtown, according to Derek Reber, a member of the committee that undertook expanding Christkindl into downtown. Six food trucks will be parked at various spots on Main Street on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Other than the trips downtown, the market offers plenty for families: Christmas themes, holiday music, an alpaca, the selection of the Christkindl Angel, and kids crafting lanterns for the parade led by the angel. For the parents, there's "the wine, the beer, the food and the shopping," said Zulick.

The market will continue throughout the weekend, with the goal to catch the interest of as many people as it can.

It's a place to "come, socialize, shop, listen to some good music, and meet local artists," said Zulick, who added that many of the artists donate their time. "It's a festive atmosphere — everyone seems to be in a good mood."